Reflection: Luke 16:9-15

Saturday of the 31st Week of Ordinary Time - Luke 16:9- 15

In today’s Gospel Jesus continues his instruction to his disciples. He tells his disciples that if a person can be trusted in small matters, they likely can be trusted with more important matters. Trust is essential to any relationship. If we don’t trust someone, most likely we will keep our distance. Nor will we share anything of importance with them.

Ask yourself: whom do you trust? Whom do you count on to support and love you—no matter what? As you answer that question, I hope God is the One you think of first! God is the one who loves us no matter what we have done or how we have acted. God may invite us to make some changes, but God never stops loving us. God is always there for us! Do we truly believe this? If not, may we pray for the grace to trust our loving God!

Reflection: Luke 16:1-8

Friday of the 31st Week of Ordinary Time - Luke 16:1-8

Jesus has another parable for his disciples today. It is the story of the rich man and his steward. Someone in the rich man’s household reports to the master that his steward has been squandering his money. Naturally the master immediately calls this servant in and asks to see a list of his expenses and the monies that he had spent.

The servant panics. He didn’t expect to get caught. Now what was he to do? Notice: he is not repentant. He simply wants to ensure his future. He doesn’t have the skills to become a laborer and he doesn’t want to end up on the street. So the servant devises a plan. He calls in each of his master’s debtors and reduces the amount of money that each of them owes his master.

What is unbelievable is the master’s reaction when he discovers the steward’s dishonesty. Instead of firing the man or putting him in prison, he commends the steward for acting prudently. In today’s world, I doubt that this is how an employer would respond. It is more likely that the steward, at the very least, would find himself or herself out of a job or perhaps find himself or herself in jail.

At times in our lives, we find ourselves in a difficult and frightening situation. At these times do we turn to God? Do we trust God to give us another chance? The gift is: God always gives us another chance! Our part is to trust that God will never leave us!

Reflection: Luke 15:1-10

Thursday of the 31st Week of Ordinary Time - Luke 15:1-10

This Gospel begins with the Pharisees complaining about Jesus (again). This time they are criticizing Jesus for welcoming the people that they consider unclean: the sinners. Jesus not only heals sinners but he also has the audacity to dine with them. Jesus once again is not behaving properly –at least in the Pharisees’ eyes.

I wonder how the simple act of Jesus sitting down and sharing a meal with “those unclean people” changed their hearts and lives. Did they truly feel valued and accepted simply for who they were? One thing that a friend and I do regularly is to fix breakfast for the homeless men who live on the shore of Lake Chapala.  Not only do we prepare breakfast for them but we also share breakfast with them.  We sit down and eat and talk with them.  It is a simple thing to do, yet, it makes these men realize that they are important and valuable.  This is something we all need.  Little do they realize that they also gift us.  

Today Jesus invites us to sit down and share a meal with Him even though we may not feel we are worthy.  How will you respond today?

Reflection: John 6:37-40

The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls Day) – John 6:37-40

On the 2nd day of November, the Catholic Church celebrates the feast of “The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed.”    This feast often is called the “Feast of All Souls.”  This is the Church’s day to remember and pray for all of the people who have gone before us.

Today I invite you to take some extra time to remember and pray for the significant individuals in your life who have left this world.   They may be family members, friends, or individuals who made a significant difference in your life.  What impact did these men and women have in your life?  Today take time to remember each one of these special individuals.  Remember their smile and their care for you.  Trust that these beloved individuals are still watching over you and perhaps today, they may be interceding on your behalf with God.

Take time to thank God, Jesus ,and the Spirit for gifting you with these special individuals.  And when you have moved on to heaven, trust that you also will be remembered with great love and prayer by your family and friends!

Reflection: Matthew 5:1-12

Solemnity of All Saints - Matthew 5:1-12

Today Jesus is teaching his disciples. In his teaching, he gifts them with the Beatitudes. We all are familiar with the Beatitudes. However, do we take the time to sit with these eight beautiful teachings and ask ourselves: “How do I strive to be a living example of this beatitude?”

Today, I invite you to read the whole gospel passage and reflect on it. Then I invite you to simply reflect on the first beatitude for 5-10 minutes. Ask yourself: how do I live this beatitude in my daily life? What does it mean to me to be “poor in spirit?” Do I strive to be “poor in spirit” as I go about my day?

If you have sufficient time, you may continue with the other beatitudes.  Another option is to take one beatitude a day for the next six days. This will enable you to reflect deeply on each of the beatitudes and on how you strive to live this beatitude in your daily life.

Jesus does not want us simply to act. Jesus wants us to act mindfully, deliberately, and lovingly. Will we choose to do this today? We may not only give a great gift to another, we may receive a great gift as we share the little that we have!